The Three Amigos pay tribute to third amigo Oscar the Yorkshire Terrier

The Three Amigos Fundraising Group: Kath and Andy O'Donnell with Oscar

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Kath and Andy O’Donnell of The Three Amigos Fundraising Group have paid tribute to their third amigo, Oscar the Yorkshire Terrier, after he became ill with an aggressive form of cancer.

After becoming very ill in a short period of time, Kath and Andy, from Littleborough, faced the heartbreaking decision to let their beloved pet go, and 10-year-old Oscar was put to sleep on Friday 3 November.

Oscar, whom the O’Donnell’s had since he was a puppy, inspired the very first event ‘Doggy Dash For Life’ at Hollingworth Lake in 2010 with his love of walks. Next year’s event will take place in memory of the cheeky terrier, who had also taken part in every Santa Dash or Dawdle for Springhill Hospice at the picturesque lake each December.

Kath, who was named ‘Woman of Rochdale’ in September, and husband Andy said: “Oscar became poorly very quickly and unfortunately was struck with an aggressive cancer and we had to let him go.

"Many people knew Oscar, he was a lovely, funny, mischievous, cocky Yorkshire Terrier who brought us much happiness. We are heartbroken and his loss is immense.”

However, Three Amigos still remain, as Oscar’s best friend, and the O’Donnell’s second Yorkshire Terrier, Muttley, has stepped in to fulfil the role.

Kath and Andy began raising funds for cancer research after Andy was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2004. Following his successful treatment, they held a charity golf day in June 2006. The trailblazer event day would be the first ‘Tee Off Trophy’, and raised over £2,000.

After becoming a registered group in 2010, The Three Amigos were born and went on to create annual fundraising events centred around the O’Donnell’s hobbies including: Midgely Moor Fell Race; the ‘Doggy Dash For Life’ around Hollingworth Lake; ‘Hack Off Cancer’ horse ride; ‘Neigh to Cancer’ dressage event and the ‘Tee Off Trophy’ golf day. ‘Doggy Dash For Life’ has become an extremely popular event and similar events have been held in other areas of the UK.

Starting in 2016, Kath began to paint Littleborough pink for Cancer Awareness Month- and the annual ‘Little Pink Borough’ was born. Shops and businesses across Littleborough take part, dressing their window displays pink and decorating the streets with pink bunting.